Part of large number of launches today, HP updated its MediaSmart Server the EX490 and EX495 based on Windows Home Server.
The EX490 is the base version which has a 2.2GHz Celeron and a 1TB drive built-in, while the EX495 moves to a 2.5GHz Pentium dual-core and a 1.5TB disk. Three unused drive bays, four USB ports and one eSATA port allow for much more storage for those that need it and/or want to transfer content from a removable drive.
Mac Support
One of the great features of these machines being on Windows Home Server is the fact they support both Mac and PCs. Both can be administrated over the network using the current version of Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Client for Mac. They can also be used directly to recover a Mac from a Time Machine backup created on the server and have a new media aggregator that automatically pools content from Macs and Windows PCs based on the media type, the individual computer or a given folder.
Both still Support HP’s free iStream app for the iPhone and iPod touch to send music, photos and videos over the Internet to the Apple handhelds. Plus they still act as iTunes servers on the local network for both Windows and Mac PCs.
Price and Ship Date
Pre-orders start today and put the EX490 at $549 and the EX495 at $649. HP has not said how soon the new MediaSmarts will be available in the US but Europe will see them in stores early in October.
